Thank you for the story about immigrant detainees working for $1 per day at the GEO-run detention center in Aurora. Currently, The GEO Group is being paid $164 per day for each detainee. Most people held are non-violent and awaiting a hearing for a civil matter, not criminal. Why not release non-violent detainees on bond or with ankle bracelets? This could save taxpayers hundreds of dollars per day. It would also allow detainees to be with their families and loved ones.

Perhaps the reason we don’t have meaningful immigration reform is that the current system is too profitable for private corporations such as GEO. We can do better than to profit from the suffering of immigrant people coming here for a better life.

Patrick F. Buckley, Denver

This letter was published in the Nov. 7 edition.

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A pit bull named Buddy is pictured at a dog park in Englewood on Oct. 14. Voters will decide whether to repeal Aurora’s ban on pit bulls on Nov. 4. (David Zalubowski, The Associated Press)

As a breeder, an animal lover, and a dog owner, I have dedicated my life to the upbringing of dogs in the Colorado area. So when I see laws that ban ownership of particular breeds right in my own backyard, I get angry.

Breed-specific laws like Aurora’s ban on pit bulls unfairly punish responsible, loving dog owners like me, while the real culprits — irresponsible dog owners — go unpunished. When people allow their dogs to become a danger to society or use dogs for malicious purposes, it’s clear they care little for that breed. Meanwhile, the other 99 percent who are responsible and dedicated dog owners shoulder all of the blame.

I believe the rights of responsible dog owners and their pets should be protected. Aurora voters, please vote “yes” on Question 2D and allow pit bulls back into Aurora.

Linda Hart, Englewood

The writer is director of legislative affairs for the Colorado Federation of Dog Clubs.

This letter was published in the Nov. 1 edition.

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Unfortunately, the weed-filled vacant lot and abandoned shopping cart at the site of mourning for the Aurora theater shooting victims could be a metaphor for the city of Aurora itself.

I have lived in Aurora for more than 15 years, most of that time in a forgotten neighborhood that needs people to care. As in: needs grass mowed, apathy; needs weeds pulled, apathy; needs abandoned shopping carts removed, apathy; needs ordinances enforced on fireworks, speeding, running stop signs and insanely over-the-top engine noise that nobody in their right mind could seriously make a case for, unless we’re talking about the Aurora police, whose explanation to me was that “everybody does it,” apathy.

The problem in Aurora is clear: too much apathy, and good luck to the shooting victims and family members who are trying to get something done that would ease their pain. Even for something as high-profile as the theater shootings, it won’t be easy.

Beverly Bennett, Aurora

This letter was published in the July 30 edition.

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Aurora officials should be applauded for considering opening up the city’s streets to food trucks, but should reject the anti-competitive proximity ban that prohibits trucks from operating within 100 feet of a brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Including a proximity restriction isn’t just bad policy, it would also stifle entrepreneurship and limit lunchtime options.

In addition, it runs afoul of the constitutional principle that naked attempts to protect some businesses at the expense of others are illegitimate.

Government should not be picking winners and losers in the marketplace; instead, restaurants should confidently step up their game, and welcome the increased foot traffic that food trucks can bring to their establishments.

Arif Panju, Austin, Texas

The writer is an attorney at the Institute for Justice.

This letter was published in the June 16 edition.

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I found it interesting that Aurora officials want to promote their park system. I have always been bothered by the fact two large Aurora open spaces near my home, the Quincy Reservoir and the open space by Chambers and Yale, are both surrounded by barbed wire fences. I understand there is a security turnstile at the Quincy Reservoir that allows entry once a fee is paid. Not what I would call open space. If Aurora officials are truly serious about promoting their open spaces, I would urge them to take down the barbed wire fences and let the public actually use them.

Edward Dranginis, Centennial

This letter was published in the May 14 edition.

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Regarding the potential transformation of the city of Aurora to a strong-mayor form of government: please note the pitfalls from this citizen of Denver, which now has a mayoral autocracy.

Our City Council, with the agreement of the voters, has turned over most of its power to the mayor. We citizens have only the most superficial representation through City Council members, who allow the developers and power brokers funding political races free rein. We pay council members $78,000 a year (soon $83,000) to rubber-stamp mayoral decrees.

The result: We are losing park lands to development. High rises are built with little to no green space. New, shoddy construction is built right up to sidewalks, posing visibility issues for drivers and pedestrians, and spreading the shadowy, cavernous ambience of downtown to once light-infused places like Cherry Creek.

The only winners, when “messy” democratic processes are eliminated, are builders and developers. Their successes make our city much less livable. Aurorans, beware.

Linda Drake, Denver

This letter was published in the March 8 edition.

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Let’s not blame GE for not going through with the Aurora solar-panel factory.

This is the result of giving the solar manufacturing industry away to China. This is the result of greed that flooded our markets with imported panels in 2012.

This is the result of short-sighted trade policies with one of our countries’ largest debt holders.

This is the result of companies like Xcel Energy trying to cut solar energy use by attacking net metering. This is the result of our so-called Public Utilities Commission toadying to Xcel, even as homeowners struggle to save on energy use.

We can continue to get economically hammered in a market we can easily compete and lead in, or we can demand action from our employees in Washington. Time to take alternative energies seriously, and stop thinking of them as alternative.

Thomas M. Holzfaster, Lakewood

This letter was published in the Aug. 14 edition.

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Forty-eight items of evidence in sexual assault cases were accidentally destroyed over the past six months by an Aurora police officer or officers working in the department’s property-evidence section. This was certainly a series of tragic mistakes, something that does in fact happen in police departments on occasion.

As a former chief of police with 52 years in the law enforcement business, I can say with certainty that police departments should do a property-evidence audit, including a review of related policies, procedures and rules, at least once each year, sometimes utilizing independent property-evidence experts to perform such audits.

Were these mistakes the fault of Chief Dan Oates? Certainly not. But someone dropped the ball and caused these tragic mistakes to occur. Who made the decision to authorize these destructions, and who made the decision to actually accomplish the destructions? Who was responsible for the disconnect? And if there is going to be a task force to study what occurred, Chief Oates should not confine the membership to attorneys and a DNA expert. An independent property-evidence expert needs to be included. Police chiefs hate it when there is a property-evidence scandal like this, and that is why thorough audits are so critical.

Dan Montgomery, Arvada

This letter was published in the June 28 edition.

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This past weekend I had the honor of being in the same hotel as 400 high school rugby players. They were participating in a rugby tournament held in Aurora and the players represented Aurora, Colorado, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Nebraska and California. While I never saw any coverage in The Denver Post, I can assure you that they were all well-mannered, polite, highly energized, could deal with winning and defeat, and displayed a sense of pride. In talking with several of these players, it gave me great hope that the youth of today will indeed make great decisions about our country’s tomorrow and the future is in good hands.

A special thank you to all the rugby players I met — you all are winners.

J. Feakes, Denver

This letter was published in the June 20 edition.

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Claudia Folska is the right choice for the RTD Board of Directors. Claudia does not own or drive a car and relies on RTD for her transportation needs. As a single mom, she uses RTD for commuting to work, shopping and to run errands.

Claudia has completed a dual Ph.D. with a transportation focus by commuting daily to the University of Colorado in both Boulder and Denver. Through riding RTD, Claudia Folska has identified several improvements that have been implemented at RTD. Claudia has testified before the PUC to make safety improvements at light rail street crossings. She also has helped improve ADA compliance at RTD and has worked with staff to make RTD employment opportunities accessible to people with disabilities.

Claudia Folska is a strong advocate for all RTD riders and for the people of Colorado. As an RTD Board member, Claudia will bring her vision, expertise and passion for transit to this very important position.

Tom Tobiassen, Aurora

The writer is a member of the RTD Board of Directors.

This letter was published in the Oct. 18 edition.

This is the single most important time in Aurora’s relationship with RTD. We have never had much hope for buses to serve our suburb, but now we have light rail building the spine of the city right along Interstate 225. It is vitally important that the RTD Board member representing Aurora be from Aurora and be vitally familiar with Aurora. Vince Chowdhury is the effective choice for RTD Board. Vince has attended almost every one of my ward meetings to hear your concerns and he works with me to get things done. He has earned my support for election to the RTD Board this November. I hope you will join me in voting for Vince.

Molly Markert, Aurora

The writer is a member of the Aurora City Council.

This letter was published in the Oct. 18 edition.

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Guidelines: The Post welcomes letters up to 150 words on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address, day and evening phone numbers, and may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.